DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS10 February 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Berlin)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEX
The World Food Programme is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Innovation & partnerships are one of the organisationโs priorities, scaling innovations for efficiency and effectiveness across all global WFP offices and exploring new.
WFP has a legacy of innovation from its inception to breakthrough innovations implemented at scale across WFP operations.
The existing innovation infrastructure consists of the Headquarters Innovation Division with its award-winning Global WFP Innovation Accelerator based in Munich, Germany, different Regional and Country Innovation Hubs and Units as well as the corporate Business Innovation and Change Service.
THE ROLEThe Director of the Global Accelerator and Ventures plays a pivotal role in scaling transformative innovations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, while also exploring breakthrough innovations to help end global hunger.
This role serves as a key bridge between WFPโs field operations and external innovation ecosystems and networks, accelerating WFPโs modernization and transformation efforts. The Director provides effective leadership to this specialized corporate function, playing a critical role in formulating WFPโs corporate strategies, policies, and plans, ensuring the effective implementation of WFP programmes and activities.
The Director Global Accelerator and Ventures reports directly to the Director, Innovation Division and acts as itโs Deputy in all corporate matters. The role represents WFP innovation both internally and externally, providing advice to executive management on key technological and business model innovations, and engaging with high priority partners and supporters of WFP innovations. Furthermore, the role promotes and advocates for innovation within the broader humanitarian and development ecosystem and business communities.KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):
Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and implementation of WFPโs innovation strategy, related agendas and workplans ensuring alignment with the organization's overall goals and priorities.
Formulate, manage and implement change processes to maximize performance, enable innovations and achieve cost-effective and efficient delivery of activities; ensure that divisional teams remain engaged and motivated during the change processes.
Global Accelerator and Venture Leadership: Support the development of all global innovation functions, including overseeing the WFP Innovation Accelerator and its Innovation Management, Scaling and Venture teams.
Innovation Portfolio Management: Oversee the global innovation portfolio, ensuring it meets the needs of WFP field operations while maximizing the long-term breakthrough potential for the greatest impact.
Breakthrough Venture Development: Guide the development of breakthrough innovations and venture opportunities that provide scalable and impactful solutions to WFP's operational challenges and those of external partners.
Partnership Building: Pioneer, grow and scale innovation partnerships with key stakeholders, including governments, private sector companies, foundations, non-governmental organizations, academia, and global leaders to advance innovation and entrepreneurial activities, including multi-year partners such as Germany, the USA, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Google and John Deere, as well as science, research and technology institutions partners of the WFP Innovation Accelerator.
Team Leadership: Lead and inspire a diverse team of innovation and venture experts, fostering a cohesive and high-performing culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.
Innovation positioning: Play a key role in WFPโs innovation positioning and advocacy, influencing innovation for impact across the humanitarian and development ecosystems and with the business sector.
Thought leadership: Shape the positioning of WFPโs Executive Leadership and global Directorsโ on innovation, emphasizing its effective utilisation for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness, while also representing WFP in interagency forums.
Executive Reporting: Report on innovation progress and impact to WFP leadership and ensure the best use of financial resources for achievement of set objectives.
Accountable for an equitable and inclusive workplace which incorporates all dimensions of the WFP diversity and inclusion framework.
Perform any other duty as required to support the Director of Innovation Division.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education: Advanced university degree in a business or innovation discipline (e.g., International Business Administration, Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Innovation Management) or First University degree with two additional years of relevant experience.
Experience:At least thirteen years of progressive senior level experience in fields related to innovation functions, startup leadership or implementing innovations, including at least six years of international experience or work with global organizations.
Demonstrated leadership in world-class innovation structures and experience leading multicultural teams to drive performance improvements.
Proven track record of developing, launching, and scaling products using methodologies such as lean startup, human-centered design, and corporate innovation. Experience in innovation accelerators, startups, or non-profit ventures is essential.
Strong leadership and management skills, with demonstrated ability to build teams and collaborate with executive management and external stakeholders, including private sector innovation leaders.
Experience engaging with government ministries or funding bodies in the USA, Germany, or other EU countries that support multi-year funding for innovation initiatives is a plus.
Background in social impact, social business, or international management consulting is preferred; UN experience is an advantage.
Excellent conceptual thinking, project management, and presentation skills, with a collaborative spirit and the ability to connect across cultures. Strong time management, self-motivation, and commitment to achieving organizational goals are critical.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English and German language required due to the multiyear cooperation agreement with Germany. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.
Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as โnon-rotationalโ which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 daysโ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Munich, Germany to take up this assignment.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.